Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026
Module CHEM3061: Chemistry and Society
Department: Chemistry
CHEM3061: Chemistry and Society
| Type | Tied | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2025/2026 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | F100 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | CFG0 |
Prerequisites
- Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012).
Corequisites
- Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR [Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211) OR Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411)] AND Chemistry BSc Dissertation (CHEM3161)
Excluded Combination of Modules
- Chemistry into Schools
Aims
- To provide a research-led capstone module in Chemistry, where BSc students in their final year can develop independent research skills, group-work skills and business skills. To allow students to develop their expertise in chemistry through independent study and peer-presented lectures, guided by discussion groups supervision sessions with a staff member.
- To broaden the student's knowledge of chemical principles, particularly those that impact, technology, health, industry and the environment.
Content
- Chemistry and Society is designed to broaden the student's knowledge of chemical principles, particularly those that impact, technology, health, industry and the environment.
- Students will work in groups to study topics within the broad areas of: Pharmaceutical and bioactive chemistry.
- Materials for technology.
- Commodity chemicals.
- Chemistry for sustainable development. These topics will be presented to staff and peers through short written summaries, oral presentations and posters. Groups will be supported by regular meetings with a staff supervisor.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Describe and critically analyse the topic of their presentations and poster at an advanced level
Subject-specific Skills:
- Presentation of complex chemical arguments at an appropriate level for a specific target audience.
Key Skills:
- Completion of the module will enhance skills in working as a group, information retrieval and focussed scientific writing.
- Skills in organising and participating in effective meetings will be developed.
- Poster preparation and oral presentation skills will be developed.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Summatively assessed group presentations will take place at the end of each of Terms 1 and 2 to allow students to study a topic in significant depth, followed by the preparation of a written executive summary for each group presentation.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 4 | 1 hour | 4 | ■ | |
| Training sessions | 3 | 1.5 hours | 4.50 | ■ | |
| Discussion Classes | 16 | 2 per week | 1.5 hour | 24 | ■ |
| Presentations | 28 | 0.5 Hour | 14 | ■ | |
| Poster Session | 1 | 3 hours | 3 | ■ | |
| Preparation and Reading | 150.50 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Poster | Component Weighting: 30% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Poster | 100% | ||
| Component: Coursework | Component Weighting: 70% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Coursework | 100% | ||
Formative Assessment:
Will be provided through project meetings with supervisors.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University